The generals declared that Niamey will respond to any “aggression” by the West or ECOWAS.
According to AFP, the National Council for Safeguarding the Homeland of Niger criticised the military agreement with France and cautioned the other African nations from getting involved. Last week, the junta took control in a military takeover.
A spokesperson of the coup government declared on television on Thursday night that Niger will “immediately” terminate all military cooperation agreements with France, including the one that sees Paris stationing about 1,500 troops in the Sahel nation.
The transmission of French broadcasters France 24 and Radio France was previously suppressed by Tchiani’s junta on the day of the 63rd anniversary of Niger’s independence from Paris.
Internationale (RFI), once more in line with AFP.
No proof that Russia was engaged in the coup in Niger, according to the Italian FMNo proof that Russia was engaged in the coup in Niger, says the Italian FM
In order to avoid a military intervention, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has given Niger till Friday to reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum. Nigeria, Niger’s southern neighbour, has reportedly started gathering troops at the border.
To meet with Tchiani’s junta, a Nigerian team travelled into Niamey on Thursday. Abdulsalami Abubakar, a retired general who oversaw Nigeria’s own military government in 1998–1998, served as its leader. For meetings with Algeria and Libya, both of which have expressed support for the new government in Niamey, another group was sent.
According to a statement from Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, he gave both delegations the order to do “whatever it takes to ensure a conclusive and amicable resolution of the situation in Niger.”
According to statements made by Mali and Burkina Faso, any invasion of Niger would be viewed as an act of war against those two countries. However, Senegal declared on Thursday that it will take part in an ECOWAS offensive against Niamey.
Aissata Tall Sall, the foreign minister, said: “It’s one coup too many.”
The junta “rejects all sanctions and refuses to yield to any threat, wherever it may come from,” Tchiani declared in an address that was broadcast on television on Wednesday. “May Allah watch over Niger and ensure that this is the last great battle we will fight together for a genuine independence of our nation,” the statement said. “If they [ECOWAS] pursue their destructive logic to the end.”
